Fucoidansupplement health benefit, side effects, safety, research studies - Extract from brown seaweed, role in cancer,weight loss by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Fucoidan substances are sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown algae and have been studied for diverse biologicalactivities. It appears this substance has blood thinning properties and has an influence on the immune system. Some are promotingfucoidan supplements for weight loss. I have seen fucoidan being promoted as an antiviral agent and antioxidant. As of January2011, I have not come across human studies to give me a clue of the clinical uses of this algal extract. I do not know the appropriatedosages, benefit and side effects of fucoidan supplements. There is some early laboratory and animal research that indicates it couldhave certain health benefits. Fucoidan (sulfated alpha-L-fucan) is a sulfated polysaccharide and found primarily in the cell walls of several species of brownseaweed, such as kombu, limu moui, wakame, hijiki, and bladderwrack. Lending a slippery texture to these sea plants, it alsoprovides protection for them, even in strong sunlight and harsh environments. This substance has also been found in varying formsamong marine animals such as the sea cucumber.

AllergyFucoidan prevents C epsilon germline transcription and NFkappaB p52 translocation for IgE production in B cells.Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006.In this study, we investigated the effect of fucoidan on IgE production and intracellular events in B cells in vitro. Fucoidan inhibited theproduction of IgE and C epsilon germline transcription in murine B cells induced by IL-4 (100 ng/ml) and anti-CD40 antibodies (10microg/ml), whereas it stimulated cell proliferation. A significant effect of fucoidan on IgE production was observed when B cells werestimulated with a higher dose (5 microg/ml) of anti-CD40 antibodies, but not when stimulated with lower doses (1.25, 2.5 microg/ml),regardless of the IL-4 concentrations. Moreover, nuclear translocation of NFkappaB p52, but neither that of NFkappaB p65, nor thephosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT6 was reduced by fucoidan. These results suggest that fucoidan inhibited IgE production bypreventing the NFkappaB p52-mediated pathways activated by CD40.

Anticoagulant, blood thinnerUse of sulfated fucans as anticoagulant and antithrombotic agents: future perspectives.Curr Pharm Des. 2004.Sulfated alpha-L-fucans from brown algae (also known as fucoidan) have complex and heterogeneous structures but recent studiesrevealed the occurrence of ordered repeat units in the sulfated fucans from several species. Another source of sulfated alpha-L-fucans (and their parental compounds sulfated alpha-L-galactans and fucosylated chondroitin sulfate) is marine invertebrates. Theinvertebrate polysaccharides have simple, ordered structures, which differ in the specific patterns of sulfation and/or position of theglycosidic linkages within their repeating units. The algal and invertebrate sulfated fucans have potent anticoagulant activity,mediated by antithrombin and/or heparin cofactor II.

Anticoagulant activity of fucoidan from brown algae Fucus evanescens of the Okhotsk Sea.Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003.In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that anticoagulant activity of sulfated polysaccharide from Fucus evanescens (brown algae ofthe Okhotsk Sea) was similar to that of heparin. Anticoagulant properties of fucoidan are determined by thrombin inhibition mediatedvia plasma antithrombin III.

Immunostimulating and anticoagulating activity of fucoidan from brown algae Fucus evanescens of Okhotskoe seaAntibiot Khimioter. 2003.Fucoidan is freely soluble in water and acid solutions. Immunotropic and anticoagulating properties of the compound were evaluatedin comparison with heparin. It was demonstrated that fucoidan in wide range of doses stimulated phagocytic and bactericidic activityat leucocytes of mice peritoneal exudate. Heparin on the contrary demonstrated depressive effect on these functions at high dose. Itwas shown that fucoidan has dose-dependent anticoagulating activity in vitro and in vivo comparable with heparin activity. The resultsof investigation demonstrated possibility of fucoidan application as immunomodulating and anticoagulating agent of plant origin.

Cancer and tumorsThe Role of NK cells in Antitumor Activity of Dietary Fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida Sporophylls (Mekabu).Planta Med. 2006.Fucoidan from Mekabu (sporophyll of undaria pinnatifida), a dietary alga, exerts antitumor activity possibly through enhancing theimmune response. The present report describes the effects of dietary Mekabu fucoidan on the tumor growth of mouse A20 leukemiacells and on T cell-mediated immune responses in T cell receptor transgenic mice. The animals were fed with a diet containing 1 %Mekabu fucoidan for 10 days and subcutaneously inoculated with A20 leukemia cells. Thereafter, the mice were fed with the dietcontaining fucoidan for 40 days which inhibited tumors by 65 %. Our findings suggested that Mekabu fucoidan mediates tumordestruction through Th1 cell and NK cell responses.

Immunomodulating activity of arabinogalactan and fucoidan in vitro.J Med Food. 2005.We investigated the immunomodulating effects of arabinogalactan and fucoidan in vitro. Mouse spleen lymphocytes becamecytotoxic to tumor cells after culture with arabinogalactan and fucoidan at concentrations of 10-100 microg/mL. These data suggestthat arabinogalactan and fucoidan are activators of lymphocytes and macrophages. This property may contribute to theireffectiveness in the immunoprevention of cancer.

HIV virus protectionDefensive effects of a fucoidan from brown alga Undaria pinnatifida against herpes simplex virus infection.Int Immunopharmacol. 2008.The effects of fucoidan were examined on in vivo viral replication and the host's immune defense system. Oral administration of thefucoidan protected mice from infection with HSV-1 as judged from the survival rate and lesion scores. Phagocytic activity ofmacrophages and B cell blastogenesis in vitro were significantly stimulated by the fucoidan. Oral administration of the fucoidan

produced the augmentation of NK activity in HSV-1-infected immunosuppressed mice. The production of neutralizing antibodies inthe mice inoculated with HSV-1 was significantly promoted during the oral administration of the fucoidan for 3 weeks. These resultssuggest that oral intake of the fucoidan might take the protective effects through direct inhibition of viral replication and stimulation ofboth innate and adaptive immune defense functions.

Fucoidan protects against radiation damageRadioprotective effects of fucoidan on bone marrow cells: improvement of the cell survival and immunoreactivity.J Vet Sci. 2008.Recently, we demonstrated that fucoidan stimulates the antigen-presenting functions of dendritic cells. In this study, we investigatedthe radioprotective effects of fucoidan on bone marrow cells (BMCs), which are the main cellular reservoir for the hematopoietic andimmune system. To evaluate the effects of fucoidan, we assayed cell viability and immune responses. In a viability assay, fucoidansignificantly increased the viability of BMCs. Based on the results of flow cytometric analysis, the increased viability of fucoidan-treated BMCs was attributed to the inhibition of radiation-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, fucoidan altered the production of immune-related cytokines from BMCs and increased the capability of BMCs to induce proliferation of allogeneic splenocytes. Taken together,our study demonstrated that fucoidan has radioprotective effects on BMCs with respect to cell viability and immunoreactivity.

Fucoidan side effect and toxicityToxicological evaluation of fucoidan extracted from Laminaria japonica in Wistar rats.Food Chem Toxicol. 2005.Investigating the toxicity of fucoidan. In this study, the acute and subchronic (6 months) toxicity of varying levels of fucoidan extractedfrom Laminaria japonica was investigated in Wistar rats after oral administration. The results showed that no significant toxicologicalchanges were observed when 300 mg/kg body weight per day fucoidan was administered to rats. But when the dose was increasedto 900 and 2500 mg/kg body weight per day, the clotting time was significantly prolonged. Besides this, no other signs of toxicity wereobserved. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the no side effect level of fucoidan from L. japonica is 300 mg/kg bodyweight per day.

Fucoidan and oxalate kidney stoneRenal peroxidative changes mediated by oxalate: the protective role of fucoidan.Life Sci. 2006.Oxalate, one of the major constituents of renal stones is known to induce free radicals which damage the renal membrane. Damagedepithelia might act as nidi for stone formation aggravating calcium oxalate precipitation during hyperoxaluria. In the present study, thebeneficial effects of fucoidan on oxalate-induced free radical injury were investigated. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups.Hyperoxaluria was induced in two groups by administration of 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days and one of themwas treated with fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.wt subcutaneously commencing from the 8th day ofinduction. A control and drug control (fucoidan alone) was also included in the study. The extent of renal injury in hyperoxaluria wasevident from the increased activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase in urine. There was a positive correlation between plasma malondialdehyde levels and renal membrane damageindicating a striking relation between free radical formation and cellular injury. Increased protein carbonyl and decreased thiolsfurther exemplified the oxidative milieu prevailing during hyperoxaluria. Decreased renal membrane ATPases accentuated the renalmembrane damage induced by oxalate. Renal microscopic analysis showed abnormal findings in histology as an evidence of oxalatedamage. The above biochemical and histopathological discrepancies were abrogated with fucoidan administration, indicating itsprotective role in oxalate mediated peroxidative injury.

AvailabilityHerb and ingredient suppliers sell fucoidan from brown seaweeds in various extract concentrations including 50 percent fucoidan and70 percent fucoidan.

EmailsQ. I have chronic progressive MS, and at 66 have been diagnosed since age 35 with same. Your thoughts or suggestions relative tofucoidan for usage to help would be appreciated. Have taken copaxone for four years, seemed to help, not certain, take 4-Aminopyridene, and low dosage Naltrexone, evening primrose, 2000mg day. A. I have not studied fucoidan enough to know how it would influence MS.

Q. What is the best way to take Fucoidan, by drinking or by capsule. It also seems there are some multi level marketing companiesout their, and you would think manufacturer's would try to market it through regular channels to places the consumer would trust. Itseem a little scrupulous. A. I do not have enough practical experience with fucoidan to know these answers since it is relatively new as a supplement and wehave not gotten to it yet to see how it works when ingested.

I am a college professor in marketing who gets students coming by all the time with new products that they are being asked to sell,usually in a multi-level marketing manner. I have gotten pretty good at sniffing out the scams, I believe, and help them all I can. Yoursite, which I just found last week, will really help me help them. Thanks so much!

Q. I have been reading a lot about Limu and products with Fucoidan, there have been over 600 medical studies, please check thisout! I was wondering if you would be carrying anything with fucoidan product in the future? A. We would like to see a couple of human studies with fucoidan to determine what kind of an effect a fucoidan supplement has onthe body.

Q. I am a distributor of Original Limu and took it religiously for over a year, with wonderful results (energy, sleep, arthritis, etc). Therecommended dose is 2 to 4 oz. a day, but the company also says that since it has a six-second flash process when it is formulated, ithas live enzymes, is a live food, and cannot hurt you (you can drink as much as you want, with no harm). Obviously, the company hasnever said that it will heal or cure anything either. After about a year, my husband and I noticed that it was making our hair terribly dryand straw-like. My husband's skin also became very dry and itchy. I didn't make the connection between these symptoms and the

Limu, until one of my downlines (who has been a hairdresser for 30 years) called and said she was stopping the Limu because ofwhat it was doing to her hair. Then the lightbulb went off and I knew what had been causing our problems. When we stop, our hairclears up....when we start up again, it comes back. Of course, my uplines don't quite believe me and say no one else has ever hadthis problem. And, of course, that's because at first Limu makes your hair very soft and nice. But my husband and I were drinkingmore than the recommended dose, per day, and I think we got too much of some ingredient or reached toxic levels or something. Ihave been researching for hours on the Internet on Fucoidan, alginic acid, etc. One thing I found was that too much alginic acid(which is in the seaweed in Limu) can leach important nutrients out of your system. This is as close as I've come to finding something. A. I have not come across any significant research in humans with fucoidan, let alone long term research. Hence I don't know whatthe effects of fucoidan or Limu ingestion would be if used for prolonged periods. Dry hair is sometimes caused by low thyroid levels,or mineral imbalances, alterations in fatty acid synthesis such as omega-3s, but there are other causes for dry hair. I often tell mypatients to take a break from the use of supplements, at least one day off a week, and one week of every month or two. Taking breaksis even more important in regards to new supplements that have been introduced with little knowledge of their long term effects.

Q. Recently, I was given an invitation to add a beverage to my daily diet which is rich in fucoidan. What do you know about theresearch. A. As of January 2011, I have not come across long term human research with a fucoidan supplement. I would guess that it is ahealthy addition to one's diet, but I would not use it daily for the time being until we have more data.

Q. What's the difference between fucose and fucoidan? A. Fucose is a sugar and the fundamental sub-unit of the fucoidan polysaccharide.

Q. What do you know about this product called Sissel? They are really promoting FuCoyDon which contains Limu Moui Puree. Thisseaweed and fruit concentrations are supposed to be the cure-all for so many things. I decided I would try it based on therecommendation of a friend who says it helped her walk again. I don’t doubt her, however, know the mind is ever powerful too. WhenI first started the product, my mouth and especially my tongue got very red and sore—felt like I had burned it with a hot beverage. Icalled the company, they told me to back off of taking 1 oz. and take only half oz. They also recommended taking a Benadryl whichsurprised me since they are not MD’s. Besides, I don’t tolerate Benadryl, puts me to sleep for a full day. I have taken half oz. now fora week and awakened last night with an irregular heart beat and some pounding in my chest. I’m prone to those because I have avery low tolerance for drugs, however, they have really been controlled in the past two months or so by exercise and reducing digoxinthat I take for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. I am so leery of these multi-level products because they aren’t regulated by the FDA andespecially soy based products because I also have a tendency to grow tumors. I realize soy doesn’t cause tumors but tumors feed onsoy. Sissel doesn’t seem to have soy but I’m just not sure about all these exotic fruits. I’m going to subscribe to your newsletter andhopefully in the future I will see some remarks about Sissel. A. I had not heard of Sissel product until this email so I am not familiar with its benefits or side effects.

I recently bought Flucoidan in a gel preparation called UMI marketed by the company AGel . I am not sure whether this is the caughtof my extreme fatigue today . I took a sachet last night and found difficulty falling asleep and woke up unrefreshed and very tired. Ihave gone without sleep before and usually do quite well. I believe if it is such a powerful anticancer agent and immune booster thenperhaps it can also cause symptoms.